There are many drinks to choose from after a workout to help replenish you after a tough workout: Gatorade, PowerAde, All Sport, Endurox 4, or even just water, but the newest one to help keep you hydrated is chocolate milk. Chocolate Milk helps rehydrate your body and rebuilds the muscle that was depleted of energy while working out.

What makes this to be true?

Chocolate milk is packed with carbohydrates and protein, which is something that depleted muscles need to recover. When you exercise you contract your muscles and many endurance athletes may exhaust their muscles, which is why restoring and hydrating your body is extremely important. Water is simply not enough when it comes to refueling and that is where chocolate milk takes a step over sports drinks. Though sports drinks contain an amount of water, they lack the natural protein and carbohydrates that milk already has. Milk contains Vitamins A and D, along with calcium which are nutrients that strengthen bones and builds muscle. A study from Britain has also proven that chocolate milk restores the fluid levels in your body that decrease in heat. Water is also a big part in chocolate milk. It replenishes the body’s water that was lost in the sweat quicker then normal water.

Proof that it works!

Several different medical studies have been conducted on the benefits of chocolate milk including the Journal of Sports Nutrition and Exercise Metabolism back in February 2008. They reported that “athletes who drank chocolate milk after an intense bout of exercise were able to workout longer and with more power during a second workout compared to athletes who drank commercial sports beverages.” Many magazines, such as Runner’s World and Fitness, have also written articles about the benefits of chocolate milk after exercise.  Joel M. Stager, PhD, professor of kinesiology at Indiana University conducted a study on cyclists who were given one of three beverages; low-fat chocolate milk, a traditional fluid replacement sports drink or a carbohydrate replacement sports drink. On their second workout the chocolate milk drinkers were able to workout out twice as long as the sport drink users, and as long as those who consumed the fluid replacement drink.

Better than other sports drinks?

Water is effective in only a small way; it only replenishes your fluids after sweating but it does not give your body the nutrients it needs. Other sports drinks, such as Gatorade, contain too much sugar that is not good for the body after a work out. Chocolate milk has the right amount of sugar, nutrients, and water your body needs to recover from working out. So why not give it a try? Not only does it provide your body with what it needs, but it is also cheaper than most sport drinks!

Chocolate milk is the key to being a strong built athlete. It is a tasty, refreshing drink that replenishes your body at a cost efficient price.